Serena's POV
I turned slowly and fixed my eyes on the woman from the throne room earlier—the one who had stared daggers at me. Her face was flushed red with anger, and her eyes were narrowed into slits that could cut glass. Overall, she looked like an active volcano waiting to erupt. What did she even want with me?
“Are you deaf, girl?” she barked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Get over here, now.”
Almost immediately, a strange sense of indignation flared up inside me as I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my anger at bay. How dare she speak to me like that!
Whoever she was, I was quite certain she didn’t hold a high place in the Rykov pack. Her audacity was just so…
I gulped, barely managing to control my temper. I was a maid now, and I had to remember my place. With a deep breath, I steeled myself and walked over, forcing my expression to remain neutral.
I stood before her, meeting her gaze while she studied me with such scrutiny that it made my skin crawl. I felt naked under her searing gaze.
“Next time you look me dead in the eyes will be the day I pluck out your eyeballs myself,” she barked again, and I quickly lowered my gaze. I was angry, yes, and I wanted so badly to defy her, but… I wasn’t strong enough, and for the plans I had, I still needed my vision.
“What is your name?” she demanded in a sharp tone.
“Serena,” I responded, keeping my voice even.
“Serena.” She repeated with a scowl, her lips curling in distaste. “What a repulsive name.”
“Thank you. My mother is to blame, though.” I couldn’t help but give a sassy response, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. It was clear as day that this woman was trying to provoke me, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me riled up.
“Tell me, Serena, what do you have going on with Kaidon?”
I furrowed my brows. What in the Moon Goddess’s name was she talking about?
“What are you talking about, ma’am?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t play dumb with me, girl,” she hissed. “I saw the way Kaidon looked at you. He even granted you a place in this pack, going back on his earlier decision, which isn’t like him.”
She scoffed in anger, folding her arms with a look of pure, undiluted disdain. “You’re one of those pathetic brides he keeps bringing in to mark. By now, he should have left his cursed mark on you, and you should be dead!”
I stayed silent, biting my tongue against the retort bubbling up inside. It was funny, actually. With the way she was barking, she reminded me of a yapping chihuahua, all puffed up and self-important, convinced it could take down a wolf.
“Are you even listening to me?”
Seeing I wasn’t rising to the bait, Amelia leaned in closer, her eyes flashing with something dark and dangerous. “Listen up, and listen well,” she said, her voice dripping with venom. “I am the Luna of this pack. Kaidon is mine, and you will stay away from him. Because if I see you so much as glance his way again, I’ll make sure your stay here is… unforgettable.”
I swallowed, feeling a chill run down my spine despite myself. The look in her eyes left no room for misinterpretation; this wasn’t just a hollow threat. She wanted me gone—and I had a feeling she’d relish any chance to make me suffer. But… it still didn’t matter.
Her claims to be Luna wouldn’t stop me. My revenge on Draven was too important, and Kaidon was my surefire way to getting him killed. This little threat would not stop me.
“Thank you for the warning, ma’am.” I straightened, meeting her gaze. “But I don’t plan on causing trouble here.” Yet.
She glared at me with narrowed eyes, and it was clear as day that she wasn’t satisfied with my promise to keep things calm. Not that I cared.
“Good.” She sneered. “Now get out of my sight.”
I nodded, carefully sidestepping her as I moved to walk past, doing everything I could to avoid brushing shoulders. Just as I took a step forward, she shifted ever so slightly, extending her leg. Before I could react, my foot caught on hers, and I stumbled, crashing to the ground. The maid clothes slipped from my grasp, scattering around me.
Pain sparked through my hands and knees, but I swallowed it down, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me wince. Instead, I slowly pushed myself up, gathering the scattered clothes with a blank expression as she looked down on me, her face twisted with smug satisfaction.
“Remember what I said, girl,” her tone was deceptively sweet. “This is my pack, and the only reason you’re still breathing is because I allow it. Cross me, and you’ll find out just how unforgiving I can be.”
With that, she spun on her heel, striding down the hallway as if she hadn’t just tripped me like a schoolyard bully. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my rage under control.
Breathe, Serena. Breathe.
This was only the beginning. If I lost control now, it could ruin everything.
“Bitch,” I muttered under my breath, flashing a quick middle finger in her direction before casting a glance at the last of the scattered maid clothes on the floor. I picked them up, straightened them, and brushed off any remaining dust. It was only the first day, and already a self-entitled witch was after me. So much for keeping a low profile.
I sighed and turned back to the hallway, trying to remember where the heck my room was. This whole place was like a labyrinth, and I was already getting a headache.
As I rounded a corner, I nearly collided with a familiar face—the young girl who had fetched me from my room earlier. She looked up at me, eyes wide and concerned.
“Oh, hello!” she greeted, rushing forward as she took in the disheveled state of my clothes. “Are you alright? Did you… fall?”
I forced a smile, smoothing out my skirt. “I’m fine, really. Just… a little tumble. This place is a maze, you know?”
She giggled, nodding sympathetically. “It took me weeks to get used to it too,” she admitted, glancing over her shoulder. “Cassie’s been looking for you! I was just about to go back to the room and see if you were still there.”
“Of course,” I replied. “I was, ah, on my way back myself. Lead the way?”
She smiled brightly and turned, guiding me down the winding halls.